32

Boom, crash, boom, thud, slam…

I woke up to the racket outside.

Ugh, so noisy. They're messing with my sleep. I'll freeze them if they don't shut up.

I stomped out of the inn, ready to complain.

There they were—monsters, wandering around like creeps. Orcs, goblins, huge-eyed creatures, bat-like fiends… the whole lot.

Disgusting.

So these are the jerks that woke me up.

Tch. I'm already worn out from dealing with that princess.

Fine. They can all pay for this.

I'll wipe them out!

◇　◇　◇

It was a scene from hell. Monsters rampaged through the town, attacking people. The residents ran in terror, knights tried to fight back, but they were outnumbered. Nobody was dead yet, but plenty were hurt, and it was only a matter of time before things got worse.

In the chaos, Ruine battled alongside the knights. Even though she was a student, she knew powerful combat magic. The knights protected her while she chanted spells, but as they fell, she had less time to cast anything.

"If only Arc were here…"

Ruine muttered, then realized what she'd said. She was relying on Arc. She was helpless without him.

He had chosen to fight alone and even inscribed magic into his body for extra power. That's how determined he was. Ruine didn't have that kind of resolve, but she hated being protected all the time. She knew if she asked, Arc would help, but it would just add to his burden. She didn't want to be dead weight.

She didn't have the same conviction he did, yet she wanted to stand beside him someday. To do that, she had to be able to fight on her own.

The knights were getting fewer, so time was running out. Ruine suddenly found herself stepping away from them, heading toward the horde of monsters.

—I'm scared.

Yes, she was terrified. Switching from being protected to being a protector is terrifying. Even someone called a genius would fear such a huge swarm of monsters.

A High Orc appeared. Arc had saved her from one just like it before. This was her turning point—also the story's big change from the original.

The High Orc snorted and raised its weapon.

"Ugaaaaah!"

It roared, swinging its club down.

—Just like before.

Ruine felt her senses sharpen, and everything seemed to slow down. She opened her eyes wide, calculating at lightning speed. Mages aren't built for close combat, but a genius can still fight.

"Aqua Cutter!"

A sharp blade of water flew toward the monster. Aqua Cutter is normally a beginner spell, maybe enough to scratch a High Orc.

But—

"Gah!"

Its head flew off. That was no ordinary Aqua Cutter. Ruine had copied Arc's method for forming spells. Normally, incantations leave little room to tweak your magic. But she made up for that with no-chant magic. Even with the Sharix Theory cutting down calculations, it's still not easy. However, Ruine truly was a genius—unlike Arc's "fake" talent, as some would say.

Her magic might still be weaker than Arc's, but this was enough to kill a High Orc. In the original story, Ruine never reached this point because the Sharix Theory didn't exist there. She never learned no-chant magic. Once again, Arc's interference changed the outcome.

Little by little, the plot was drifting from its original path.

◇　◇　◇

Hahahaha!

All of you, get lost!

Hyah-haaa!

Slaying monsters is actually fun! I've been so stressed out lately, thanks to that annoying princess. But now I can do whatever I want, and nobody cares if I go all-out on these creatures.

I really am blessed, huh? How else would monsters show up at such a perfect time to vent my frustrations?

Hahaha!

I froze them one after another, until there were none left.

Tch. I wanted to fight more of them.

Apparently that duke's daughter took out a bunch, too. Hmph. Stealing my kills. But whatever—I'm in a good mood.

"Could I ever be like you?"

Suddenly, that brat Haube started talking to me. Wasn't he badmouthing me before? Now he's all buddy-buddy?

Maybe he's realized how amazing I am as a noble. Of course he's jealous. Who wouldn't be, stuck here with no power? I'm a count, after all.

But listen, kid, you can't become me. There's a difference in what we were born with.

"What I have is different from what you have."

We're on completely different levels. Nobles and commoners just aren't the same.

"You can't be me. Don't even think about it. Go live your own life."

I didn't want him getting any grand ideas. He needs to know his place. The brat nodded quietly. Fine. Enjoy your humble life. Meanwhile, I'll live in luxury! Hahaha!

Seeing him like that reminds me just how great being a noble is.